Valcke to inspect World Cup host cities in Brazil

SAO PAULO (AP) – FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke will visit Brazil next week to inspect three cities which will host matches for the 2014 World Cup.

Valcke and members of the local World Cup organizing committee will visit Recife, Natal and Brasilia from Tuesday.

The three-day tour will begin in Recife, which is expected to host matches in next year's Confederations Cup, along with Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza and Salvador.

Slow construction work in Recife has prompted FIFA concerns, and local organizers have until November to show football's governing body that the city will be ready. Salvador also has until November to show FIFA progress.

Valcke's visit will end in Brasilia, the nation's capital, which will host the Confederations Cup opener.